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19 October 2003
12 year old Junior Chess
Champion, David Howell is taking to the skies for
a Helicopter Chess Challenge to launch the first
ever National Chess Week for Barnardo’s.
To prove chess isn’t boring David will be
checking out his mate’s moves as he flies into
various schools across the country, challenging
groups of children to games of chess with a
difference. David will prove he is “King of the
Boards” as he joins up to play chess with some of
the thousands of children who are taking part in
the event.
David will depart his college,
Eastbourne College, Eastbourne at 09.15am and will
fly by Royal Navy helicopter to St Thomas’s
School, Guildford to play chess against a local
chess expert.
From Guildford, David will
then fly to Barnardo’s High Close School,
Wokingham to meet pupils there. Sandy Paterson,
Principal of Barnardo’s High Close School said ‘I
think that chess is a real challenge and a great
enjoyment for our young people. It teaches them
strategy, tactics and provides great enjoyment but
most of all provides a great challenge to learn
the different aspects of the game. Chess is also
an aid to promoting relaxation and calm as it
teaches young people to think out their moves
rather than act rashly.’
From High Close
David is set for an hour’s flight to Badgerbrook
Primary School, Leicester where children dressed
up as chess pieces on a giant chess board will be
waiting to do battle with the junior chess champ.
After the game the pupils from Badgerbrook will
run an in-house chess event raising money for
Barnardo’s. David says ‘I am very glad to be
involved with National Chess Week, and hope that
it will encourage many children and young people
to take up chess. It is a very exciting game, and,
unlike football, it can be played in all weathers!
I hope that lots of schools will take the
opportunity to raise money for Barnardo's and help
as many children as possible.’
From
Leicester, David will end the day by flying into
Chelsea Barracks and then driving to a photocall
at the Art of Chess Exhibition, The Gilbert
Collection, Somerset House, London, before ending
the day with the finale of the launch party at
City In Hotel, Westminster, where David will meet
up with his fellow members of the British Junior
Chess Team.
Some fantastic events are
taking place during National Chess Week for
Barnardo’s, from human chess to fancy dress chess.
Event organiser, Peter Evans from Chess Academy
said of the event ‘The enthusiasm of the children
to take part has been staggering. It proves beyond
doubt that many thousands of enjoy playing chess
and want to help Barnardo's'.
All schools
and clubs across the country are being invited to
take part in National Chess Week, which is
sponsored by The British Land Company PLC. Each
group that registers online will have the
opportunity to win a computer.
For every
game played, participants will be asked to donate
£1 to Barnardo’s to help fund the UK’s largest
children’s charity’s work ensuring children are
free from poverty, abuse and discrimination across
the UK.
Further Information
Launch
Day Venues / Times
• Eastbourne College,
Eastbourne, East
Sussex (9am – 09.15am)
•
St Thomas’s School, Guildford (09.30am –
10.20am)
• Barnardo’s High Close School,
Wokingham
10.40 – 11.40)
• Badgerbrook
School, Leicester (12.35pm –
13.30pm)
•
Art of Chess Exhibition, Gilbert
Collection,
Somerset House, The Strand,
London
(15.00pm – 15.30pm)
• Launch Party City
Inn Westminster, 30
John Islip St, London,
SW1P 4DD
• National Chess Week 20th – 26th
October
Nationwide Events TBC
Interviews Available
• DAVID HOWELL
• BARNARDO’S SPOKESPERSON
• SCHOOL STAFF /
SCHOOL CHILDREN
• PETER EVANS, CHESS ACADEMY
Launch Day Filming Opportunities
•
David Howell travelling by Royal Navy
helicopter
• Departures and Arrivals by
Royal Navy
helicopter at each launch venue
• School children playing human chess
•
Event at Somerset House – Art of Chess
Exhibition
Notes to Editors:
1. National Chess Week for Barnardo’s
launches on 17th October and runs till the 26th
October.
2. For every game played participants
are asked to donate £1 to Barnardo’s. It is hoped
the event will have 500,000 children
participating, raising £500,000 for Barnardo’s
work with children, young people and their
families.
3. 815 Naval Air Squadron is the
largest helicopter squadron in Europe and provides
the Royal Navy’s Frigates and Destroyers, based in
Portsmouth and Plymouth, with a fast high-tech
maritime attack.
4. National Chess Week for
Barnardo’s is sponsored by The British Land
Company PLC. The British Land Company PLC, the
event sponsor, is one of the major quoted UK
property companies, with the largest total funds
under management of £11 billion. British Land is
strongly committed to investing in the future and
the environment through education, the arts and
sport, with particular emphasis on helping young
people improve their prospects and quality of
life. British Land also promotes chess by
sponsoring the British Land UK Chess
Challenge. |
